Neighbors goat is CL +

[beckywilliams24]

Hi!
I'm brand new to this site. Hoping to learn all about goats as we are getting our first three mid-July .
Unfortunately I just found out that my neighbors have a goat that has an abscess that tested positive for CL. A year ago we agreed to let this neighbor use our fence line for their goat/cow pasture, not knowing that we'd soon be getting our own livestock. The goat in question has been removed from the pasture for the time being. I've asked that they build a buffer fence to put distance between our goats and theirs. They don't want to..... I don't want to be a jerk neighbor but I'm nervous to bring home my babies to this.

Am I over-reacting? Suggestions?

Thanks!
Becky

[Goats4Life]

I don't think that your overreacting at all! If anyone else in their herd has it (or gets it), rubs that fence, especially if one of yours does at the same time……. um, nope not gonna happen. If they refuse, I hate to say it but your going to have to put in another fence. It's not worth the risk.

[CAjerseychick]

You could scrub down the fencing build the buffer fence, and wait a minimum of 3 months (its less in hot and dry, more in moist and wet)...
also be aware that a fly can carry it between goats if there is an open abcess....

Goodluck.

we went thru a scare this last spring, I know what it feels like....

[Backfourty,MI.]

Not over reacting at all. If they don't want to put up their own buffer fence then I would definitely put up my own buffer fence.
I wouldn't want my goats any where near any of theirs.
So sorry your dealing with this but it's a scary disease!

[MDKatie]

Is your fence line directly on your property line? If it is, then tell them you'll be moving that fence line in about 4' (or enough to get a mower down to keep it maintained), and they'll need to put up their own fence. If the fence line is already inside your property boundary, then tell them you would like them to build their own fence on or inside their own property line, and if they refuse tell them you'll take them to court for having their animals on your property.

[Pony]

Scrub the fence really well. Disinfect it.

MDKatie, she already gave permission for the animals to be there, so I don't think that would hold up in court. BUT she can rescind the permission - which is something I would do anyway, to avoid hostile easement issues.

Becky, I don't think you'd be out of line to tell the neighbors that you appreciate them letting you know about the CL, and of course, under the circumstances, you will have to withdraw their access to your fenceline.

[Alice In TX/MO]

DO NO MOVE YOUR FENCE FARTHER ON YOUR PROPERTY. If you do, you are surrendering that land to them and future owners.

Build another fence and maintain the strip between.

We need to know what this means.....A year ago we agreed to let this neighbor use our fence line....

Are their animals on their property or yours?

[beckywilliams24]

Would putting a string of electric fence on both sides of our fence keep the goats away from each other?

[Alice In TX/MO]

Yes, but it won't stop the flies.

Put the electric wire at nose high on the goats.

[mygoat]

I don't think a line of hotwire would stop determined goats from nosing each other through the fence or over the fence, especially if one gets in a snit or of a doe in heat was on one side and a buck on the other...

As far as flies, yes it's possible... Not sure how large of a concern it really is though.

I wouldn't disinfect the fenceline. The sun UV and the drying that occurs is likely more than adequate.

I would personally put a new fenceline up with a buffer zone of at least several feet - 30' ideal, but not necessary IMO. In the space between, run a flock of muscovies. (Natural fly control). You could alternately throw quickbayt (or however you spell that) in the space between.

Alice is right - if you move your fenceline back, then if they use/maintain the land for 5 years, then it is considered their land I believe.

[MDKatie]

If you continue to maintain your property, and have clearly marked boundaries, AND tell them to stop mowing (if they try to maintain your property) in a written, documented letter, they cannot claim your property. There are plenty of properties with no fences, so it's not accurate to say you can only keep ownership of your property if every square inch is fenced.

Fences aren't cheap, so that's why I recommended moving the current fence line.

[punchiepal]

You need to check the fencing laws in your state. In Iowa landowners, by law, can be forced to split fencing costs if the fencing provides benefits to each owner. ie fencing my property not only keeps my goats contained it also protects the landowners crops. It always states in the write-up, to put fencing on the property line and not to move fencing inside the line.

Also, this could mean if the fence is on the property line, "permission" to use the fencing may not be necessary for them to use it.

[Cyngbaeld]

They do sound like fairly responsible people. Most around here wouldn't even think of having the abscess checked for CL. Ask them what they are doing to contain it. Did they slaughter the positive goat? Have any of the other goats had any symptoms? Do they have another pasture they can put goats in?

Moving the fence over isn't really an answer because then you have to get nasty with the neighbor over it and it doesn't pay to make enemies of your neighbors. You might try putting your goats inside an electric fence that is moveable and just shift them around the pasture on a regular basis. This will really improve your pasture management as well.

[Alice In TX/MO]

I did not recommend or mention or allude to not having a fence. My comment was addressed to moving a fence and/or allowing a neighbor use of your land.

I am always baffled by folks on HT (not just the goat forum) who say to build a fence anywhere from inches to feet inside the property line. Good way to lose it due to adverse possession by your neighbors. The simple and logical solution is to build ON the property line and maintain good relationships with the neighbors if at all possible.

I have personally seen what happens when a fence is in the wrong place. It's NOT a good thing.

Adverse possession is a method of acquiring title to real property by possession for a statutory period under certain conditions, viz: proof of non-permissive use which is actual, open and notorious, exclusive, adverse, and continuous for the statutory period.[1][Note 1] It is governed by statute[2] concerning the title to real property (land and the fixed structures built upon it). By adverse possession, title to another's real property can be acquired without compensation, by holding the property in a manner that conflicts with the true owner's rights for a specified period. For example, squatter's rights are a specific form of adverse possession. ---Wikipedia

The circumstances in which adverse possession arises determine the type of title acquired by the disseisor (the one who obtains the title from the original owner), which may be fee simple title, mineral rights, or another interest in real property. Adverse possession's origins are based both in statutory actions and in common law precepts, so the details concerning adverse possession actions vary by jurisdiction. The required period of uninterrupted possession is governed by the statute of limitations. Other elements of adverse possession are judicial constructs.

[southerngurl]

I wouldn't disinfect the fenceline. The sun UV and the drying that occurs is likely more than adequate.

I remember specifically reading about a study somewhere on CL and that it is NOT killed by sunlight.

[mygoat]

Originally Posted by southerngurl

I remember specifically reading about a study somewhere on CL and that it is NOT killed by sunlight.

UV exposure for any bacteria will reduce their numbers.. Complete elimination depends on many things - how 'clean' surface is, how long it's exposed, surface area etc. Of course, depends on the intensity of natural sunlight - it isn't a UV lamp used to sterilize biosafety hoods in the lab, for example. Include drying into that, and I would doubt it survives on a dry sun exposed surface for very long. I'd love to read that study though. All I've found is that ideal conditions allow it to live in the environment for several months (usually dark and moist).

[MDKatie]

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

I did not recommend or mention or allude to not having a fence. My comment was addressed to moving a fence and/or allowing a neighbor use of your land.

I am always baffled by folks on HT (not just the goat forum) who say to build a fence anywhere from inches to feet inside the property line. Good way to lose it due to adverse possession by your neighbors. The simple and logical solution is to build ON the property line and maintain good relationships with the neighbors if at all possible.

I have personally seen what happens when a fence is in the wrong place. It's NOT a good thing.

Adverse possession is a method of acquiring title to real property by possession for a statutory period under certain conditions, viz: proof of non-permissive use which is actual, open and notorious, exclusive, adverse, and continuous for the statutory period.[1][Note 1] It is governed by statute[2] concerning the title to real property (land and the fixed structures built upon it). By adverse possession, title to another's real property can be acquired without compensation, by holding the property in a manner that conflicts with the true owner's rights for a specified period. For example, squatter's rights are a specific form of adverse possession. ---Wikipedia

The circumstances in which adverse possession arises determine the type of title acquired by the disseisor (the one who obtains the title from the original owner), which may be fee simple title, mineral rights, or another interest in real property. Adverse possession's origins are based both in statutory actions and in common law precepts, so the details concerning adverse possession actions vary by jurisdiction. The required period of uninterrupted possession is governed by the statute of limitations. Other elements of adverse possession are judicial constructs.

Your sentence (in all caps) was right after I posted about moving the fence in from the property boundary. I never said they should let their neighbor use their property, I said move the fence in, so the neighbor would have to put up his/her own fence and there would be a buffer between fences.

Adverse possession takes years, and there has to be 'uninterrupted possession'. So if the neighbor mowed the OP's property even one time, she could simply send a "cease and desist" letter by registered mail, which would prevent the neighbor from trying to steal her property. It's very simple. Also, I suggested clearly marked property boundaries, so the neighbor would have to be a real piece of work to try to install a fence on her property, or try to take her property.

And I would never build a fence on my property line, because that gives the neighbor the right to the other side of the fence. I'd move it in a tiny bit, just to make sure the entire fence is on my own property. I can't really afford to double fence anything, so it would solve the problem of building a fence inside a fence.

[beckywilliams24]

The fence is at least 2 feet on our property , not right on property line. I really don't want to start a war with neighbor and my hubby refuses to build another fence.
I feel so stressed over this. Maybe I should get a different animal?! We are just looking for pets to maintain the field. I hate to change my plans though.

[beckywilliams24]

Also, they are not planning to slaughter sick goat. Guess they are vaccinating it but I'm not really sure that solves anything.

[CAjerseychick]

CL is a pretty bad one, I know for sure its contagious to sheep and goats and probably bovines as well, here in CA they track you if your herd comes up positive ( I think there is issues around meat use/ slaughtering?)....
Its a USDA grade sort of thing ......